Annotations

1. Brief Summary of the document

2. Background information
3. Who is it aimed towards, Why it was chosen, Who is it coming from, primary
or secondary
4. Describe source material, distinct features, insight into the material, add a
quote maybe
a. Summarize the source considering SUBJECT, OCCASION, AUDIENCE,
PURPOSE, SPEAKER, TONE
5. How the source shows the expectations and/or realities of war, Use examples
6. Compare and contrast each source to the other two
7. Relevant, concluding statement
Source #1
This collection of letters written during the beginning phase of World War I by
Captain Andr Cornet-Auquier captures the journey of a soldier from the
announcement of war, to the preparation and eventual fighting in war. The soldiers
expressed views on the war experience highlights the expectations the people had
before war and how they were dashed when they entered war and faced the sudden
realities. These writings are a credible source as they are a primary source whose
words come directly from the French soldier Andr Cornet-Auquier and from a
collection of other letters by soldiers in war. It provides examples for my argument
that reveal how strikingly different the soaring expectations formed were of the
brutal realities and how its able to immensely change those directly involved. The
high level of positivity within the peoples expectations were expressed through the
words You cannot imagine the delirious enthusiasm of the troops (CornetAuquier 181-183) and revealed the celebration and strong sense of nationalism
within the soldiers before war. In contrast, the soaring expectations were met with
brutal reality and sparked shock within the soldiers; Oh, the horrors of war!
(Cornet-Auquier 181-183). This expression reveals how surprising the war conditions
were to the soldiers. Their mental strength and nationalistic feelings were weakened
as they were suddenly shifted into a world they had never imagined. The writings of
Cornet-Auquier change from a positive, celebratory attitude to a darker mood to
reveal the immensity of the realities of war and its ability to brainwash the soldiers.
The war has made them immune to the horrors they are exposed to daily and now
human life seems to count for nothing (Cornet-Auquier 181-183). These letters
address the expectations as well as the realities of war very descriptively and
establish the understanding between how different they were to each other and
how the soldiers were affected by such a shift in perspective. These letters are free
from bias because they only contain information directly from a soldier living the
motions of war at the time and not one of government, power, or desire to gain
specific support or reputation from people. Altogether, this is a credible source that
contributes to my understanding of what life was like from the perspective of those
directly involved in war. It is further understood that the expectations of war were so
misleading that the people managed to build up a strong sense of nationalism
before war only to be immensely discouraged by the harsh realities they had to
face.
Source #4

This descriptive poem written during World War I by a British soldier was meant to
capture the reality of the war conditions and seemingly unimportant but destructive
flies. The soldiers purpose to bring the subject of the flies to light deepens the
understanding of what reality is like for a soldier in war. This poem is a credible
source as it is a primary source whose words come directly from British soldier A.B.
Herbert and from a collection of sources to make up the history of World War I. It
provides examples for my argument that reveal the fact that writings by soldiers in
war emphasize on the harsh realities of the war while those not directly involved in
war do not focus on such details and truth. Through the words Think not I never
dream The noise of that infernal noon (Herbert 169-170), it is revealed that the
acceptance and realization of the reality of war is much worse than it was originally
perceived to be and that it is taking a toll on the soldiers. The positive expectations
of war are represented with the words The tales of triumph won (Herbert 169170). This idea is followed by the representation of the turning point when reality
strikes the people and labels the previous expectations to be false and misleading
with the words The night that found them lies (Herbert 169-170). The difference
between the accepted expectations and shocking reality is revealed and suddenly
shifts perspective and understanding. The horror and shock of being in the harsh
and real conditions after once being unaware of what kind of reality was ahead of
them in war is revealed through the exclamation The flies! Oh god, the flies
(Herbert 169-170). This poem is free of bias because it only contains information
directly from a person living in the situation and not one watching from the
sidelines. Altogether, this is a valid source that contributes to my understanding
that the most unhesitant, truthful descriptions of the realities of war were hidden
within those directly involved and that their truth telling strikingly contrasted to the
expectations that were shared by many before the war.
Source #2
This enthusiastic recruitment poster from the beginning of World War I was meant to
capture the attention of those who could volunteer for Great Britains military
forces. Great Britain wanted to promote a positive attitude and motivation towards
participation in war to recruit new soldiers since they were the only major nation to
rely heavily on volunteers for their military. This poster is a credible source as it is a
primary source that comes from a primary source collection book and originates
directly from posters made by Great Britain in 1914. It provides examples for my
argument that reveal the fact that this recruitment poster displays the expectations
of war. The declaration Follow me! (Follow Me! 172) titling the poster in a friendly
font, an excited exclamation point, and underlined me establishes a personalized
positive message about joining the war. This reveals the expectation that war will be
a matter of having a positive attitude and strong teamwork to accomplish goals
efficiently and well. The soldier pictured wearing neat, proper uniform, carrying
strong weapons, and having a confident but positive facial expression reveals the
expectation that to be a soldier in war you will become a stronger, more confident
person, and fight with little difficulty wearing good uniform and having superior
weapons. The subtitle Your country needs you (Follow Me! 172) bordering the
bottom of the poster in bold, capitalized text and emphasizing on the words needs
you strengthens the message of Great Britain being in need and being able to
benefit from you. It promotes the importance of Great Britain needing better
military forces with the help of any volunteer, hence revealing the expectation that
offering yourself to your own country will be a rewarding act. This poster has bias

because it only contains the perspective of the British government and not the
individual perspective of the people. Altogether, this source is valid and contributes
to my understanding that governments highlighted the expectations of war and
ignored the realities while indoctrinating them with the idea that joining war was
better than it was thought to be.